ESPN analyst and NHL insider Kevin Weekes is never shy about stirring the pot. While he’s plugged in and breaks the news, he also likes to stir the pot, which he was clearly doing on Friday during an interview on TSN with Gino Reda. The topic of discussion was Brad Marchand and three teams he would wind up on if the Boston Bruins decide to trade him.
First, Weekes said it should be up to Marchand to decide if he wants to stay in Boston or leave. Weekes explained:
“Boston should put it in the court of their captain because we know the Bs have had some PR kind of blunders going back to this off-season. What would be better than to say, ‘Hey listen, Brad. You’ve been our guy, you’ve been one of the faces of this franchise, you’re one of the best Bruins of all time. We’re going to give you the decision and the opportunity to make a decision that you want. Would you want to go to another team and have another run this season in and around the trade deadline?”
If Marchand says yes, Weekes believes both sides should work together to find a solution that makes sense for both parties. They owe him that courtesy.
Where Would Marchand Go?
First, Weekes said he would start with the New Jersey Devils, who he thinks are going to need some more depth. He noted that speaking to some people in that organization, they’ve been on the hunt for a little bit. Marchand fits the bill and Sheldon Keefe will respect that Marchand can bring. When you “plug and play’ with what the Devils have, Marchand could be a great addition. Putting him with Jack and Luke Hughes, Nico Hischier, and Dougie Hamilton would make the Devils dangerous.
Weekes also looked at the Toronto Maple Leafs, saying, “If you can’t beat them, join them.” Or, more specifically, “If you can’t join them, let them join you.” He says that Boston has been the Leafs kryptonite in the playoffs. “I think that would be awesome for Leafs Nation.”
Weekes finished by asking, why not the Montreal Canadiens? Have Marchand go down there and play with a young Canadiens team that Martin St. Louis is doing a good job with. “Think of the experience he could also bring to Montreal’s young group.” He dropped Cole Caufield’s name, along with Lane Hutson, Juraj Slafvkovsky and others.
Some Out of the Box Trade Theories on Marchand
It would seem wild to imagine Marchand suiting up for either the Maple Leafs or the Canadiens given the past rivalries between his current team and those two franchises. Assuming Marchand even wants to leave Boston, the idea that he’d want to play for a better rival isn’t impossible, but it’s a stretch.
And, if the Bruins owe him the courtesy of asking him if he’d like to be traded, you would think they’d also extend the courtesy not to trade him somewhere he’s uncomfortable going.
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